MET’s, Institute of pharmacy, Bhujbal Knowledge City Adgaon, Nashik-422003 believes in gender equality and gender justice in all of its interventions and practices. Keeping these principles in centre, it is important to ensure an organizational climate that is free from discrimination and harassment with particular focus on sexual harassment. With this purpose, Internal Complaints Committee as per the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Harassment and Redressal) Act 2013 (14 OF 2013) WIDE NOTIFICATION PUBLISHED IN the gazette of india: extraordinary (part-ii-sec-3(I) 22nd April 2013 is established in the college.

An Act to provide protection againsts sexual harassment of women at workplace and for the prevention and redressal complaints of sexual harassment and for matters connected therewith or incidental there to.

Whereas sexual harassment results in violation of the fundamental rights of a woman to equality under articles 14 and 15 of the constitution of India and her right to life and to live with dignity under article 21 of the constitution and right to practice any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business which includes a right to a safe environment free from sexual harassment;

And whereas the protection against sexual harassment and right to work with dignity are universally recognised human rights by international conventions and instruments.

Such as Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, which has been ratified on the 25th June, 1993 by the Government of India;

And whereas it is expedient to make provisions for giving effect to the said convention for protection of women against sexual harassment at Workplace.

The cell is responsible for looking into any complaints filed by students and staff about woman at the college.

The Complaints Committee will be responsible for the redressal of complaints made by employees and ensure time-bound treatment of the complaints as provided in the Act.

Objectives of the Committee

The Internal Complaint Committee is an educational resource as well as a complaint redressal mechanism for the members of faculty, staff and students of the University. Its mandates are:

To provide a neutral, confidential and supportive environment for staff
members of the college community who may have been sexually harassed

To advice complainants of means of resolution as specified by the
legislation

To ensure fair and timely resolution of sexual harassment complaints

To provide counselling and support services on campus

To ensure that students, faculty and staff are provided with current and
comprehensive materials on sexual harassment

To promote awareness about sexual harassment through educational
initiatives that encourages and fosters a respectful and safe college
environment

The committee seeks to inform the campus community of their right to a respectful work and learning environment. It believes that if we practice respect, exercise empathy in our interactions with others so that we do not hurt anyone through what we say or do, then we can create a campus that is free of sexual harassment.

In case of any complaint, an employee/ student of the college may
contact the following:

Name

Designation

Contact No.

Email ID

Dr. Nilima A. Thombre

Presiding Officer

919422284082

nilimat_iop@bkc.met.edu

Mrs. Neelam L. Dashputre

Member

919975735493

neelamd_iop@bkc.met.edu

Dr. Medha Saykhedkar

Law officer

919673611777

medhasaykhedkar@gmail.com

Mrs. Sharayu Deshmukh

Outside Expert

919850889061

ddsharu@yahoo.com

Mrs. Varsha Mane

Administrative
Coordinating Officer

9158582323

varsha1105@gmail.com

Definition of Sexual Harassment

According to the Supreme Court guidelines, Sexual harassment can be
defined as "unwelcome" sexually determined behaviour (whether directly
or by implication) as:

Physical contact and advances

Demand or request for sexual favours

Sexually coloured remarks

Showing pornography

Other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature.

Violence conduct or treatment or unlawful use of force. Harassment can take the
appearance of bante i.e. teasing, mocking, joking, repartee, wit,
chitchat etc.or even take on the shape of unwelcome physical contact.
For example, Rebuff of payment or official endorsement in the absence of
sexual favors.

Ponographic pictures/messages displayed on desks,
boards or sent by mails.

Comment made about personal appearance and
dress.

Colored jokes shared in the college campus that’s makes other
uncomfortable.

Prohibited Activities

Sexual harassment has been defined as a form of sexual discrimination,
consisting of unwanted sexual advances. Examples of prohibited sexual
harassment include:

Verbal or written sexually suggestive or obscene comments,
jokes or propositions.

Unwanted physical contact such as touching, grabbing or
pinching.

Displaying sexually suggesting objects, pictures or
magazines.

Countinual expression of sexual or social interest after
an indication that such interest is not desired.

Conduct with sexual implication when such conduct interferes
with the employees work performance or creates an intimidating
environment.

Suggesting or implying that failure to accept a request
for date or sex would adversely affect the employee in respect to a
performance evaluation or promotion.

Who can file the Complaint to the Internal Complaint Committee?

Any student, service provider, teaching, non-teaching staff may lodge a
complaint against a student, service provider, teaching, non-teaching
staff.

Complaint Procedure

A complaint box shall be kept in the library for collecting the
complaints. Any women and girl student who wants to files a complaint
can do by either sending an email to members of anti sexual harassment
cell or file written or signed complaint addressed to the chairperson of
the cell. In case of sexual harassment the complaint shall include the
specific nature of the incident, date and the place of the incident,
name of all parties involved as well as a detailed report of all
pertinent facts.

A member who feels that’s he or she has been harassed is
strongly urged to immediately bring the subject to the attention of
a member of the steering committee. Inquiries and/or complaints will
be investigated as quickly as possible. Any investigation will be
conducted in confidential manner with a thorough investigation of
the complaints.

Discipline

Any member found to have harassed another member or guest will be
subject to appropriate disciplinary procedure action including
reprimands, suspension or termination of membership.

A person committing sexual harassment may also be held
legally liable for his or her actions under applicable law.

We will endeavor to protect members to the extent
possible from reported harassment by non-members such as from
invited guest, hosting organization, vendors and other parties who
have organizational contact with our members.

Complaint and Redressal Mechanism

The complaint box shall be opened every month to collect and sort
out the complaints. The complaint shall be summoned to hear complaints
if necessary.

Complaint of harassment will be promptly and carefully
investigated and Investigation will include interview with all
relevant persons including the accused and other potential witness
in the case of sexual harassment and decision on grievances to be
taken at a fairly senior level.

After hearing of complaint the committee shall take appropriate
decision and then same is communicated to the complainant if
required. Any student filling genuine harassment complaint shall be
protected from reprisal or retaliation as a result of filling the
complaint. Investigators will make every effort to strike a balance
between the parties’ desires for privacy and the need to conduct a
fair and effective investigation. If the complainant is not
satisfied with the decision of the committee then she/he can make
appeal before the Campus Co-ordinator.

Anti sexual harassment cell shall take rational decision to
discharge its duties/responsibilities for a smooth and efficient
functioning of the college and to monitor overall discipline.

Punitive action

An employee guilty of sexual harassment shall be liable to give a
written apology to the victim and any of the following punitive actions:
Suitable censure/warning withholding of increments. Reduction to lower
service, grade or post. Compulsory retirement. Removal from service, or
Dismissal from service.

A student guilty of sexual harassment shall be liable to give a
written apology to the victim and any of the following punitive
actions: Suitable censure/warning. Withholding/withdrawing
scholarship/fellowship and other benefits. Rustication from the
Institute for a period up to a certain period or Expulsion from the
Institute.

Responsibility

Anti Sexual Harassment Cell members are responsible for
implementation of this policy.

MET’s Institute of pharmacy, Bhujbal knowledge city, will make
every reasonable effort to conduct all proceeding in same manner
that will protect the confidentially of all parties. Parties to the
complaints should treat the matter under the investigation with
discretion and respect for the reputation of all parties involved.